THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE
"The Platinum Province,"
The North West Province of South Africa is bounded on the
north by Botswana, on the south by the provinces of Free State and the Northern
Cape, and on the northeast and east by the Limpopo Province and Gauteng. Mafikeng, formerly Mafeking, serves as the provincial capital.
Important historical sites in the province include:
- Madikwe and Pilanesberg
Game Reserves.
- Mining, which generates more than half of the province's
gross domestic product/ chief minerals are gold, mined at Orkney and Klerksdorp; uranium, mined
at Klerksdorp; platinum, mined at Rustenburg and Brits; and diamonds, mined at
Lichtenburg, Christiana, and Bloemhof.
- Many sheep farms and cattle and game ranches.
- The entertainment and casino complex at Sun City and Lost
City also contributes to the provincial economy.
- Enjoy a wrap-around panorama and the magic of lazily
drifting with the wind in a hot air balloon.
ACTIVITIES
BIRDING SEASON
The North West offers exciting and rare bird viewing opportunities. The Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, Boskop Dam,
Borakalalo Nature Reserve and Vaalkop Dam are but a few of the most popular
birding spots in the province, and most deserving of a mention.
GLORIOUS GAME VIEWING
The North
West’s magnificent animal kingdom can be viewed from the unbeatable vantage
point of a slowly drilling balloon, in 4X4’s or extremely close up, during bush
walks. The parks include Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve, Borakalalo National
Park, Botsalano Game Reserve, De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre, Madikwe Game
Reserve, Mafikeng Game Reserve, Molopo Nature Reserve, Pilanesberg National
Park, Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, SA Lombard
Nature Reserve and Wolwespruit Nature Reserve.
SUN, FUN & FISHING
The Bloemhof Dam is one of the largest dams in South Africa, covering an area
of some 25,000 ha and reaching over 100 km upstream from the dam wall. The dam
is one of the most popular angling sites in South Africa. The Barberspan Bird
Sanctuary is a huge 2,000 ha body of water, located between Delareyville and
Sannieshof. Certain areas on the pans are designated for anglers to enjoy
excellent fishing opportunities for carp, barbel and yellowfish. The Vaalkop Dam
is situated 54 km north of Brits, near Beestekraal and north-east of Rustenburg,
in typical broken bushveld country. It is renowned as both an angling and bird
watching hot spot. Fish species include carp and yellowfish which are plentiful.
HIKING HEAVEN
There is no better way to experience the wonderfully wild places of Africa
than to slip on a pair of hiking boots and put foot to the rugged bushveld
terrain. The North West has so many wonderful, fantastically scenic hiking
trails that it’s tough to choose only one. Many of the local reserves offer
fantastic trails, guaranteed to impress all hiking, walking and mountaineering
enthusiasts. Amongst these reserves are the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve,
Borakalalo National Park and the Botsalano Game Reserve.
ROCK CLIMBING
In the North West the cliffs are big, wild, often remote – and still being
discovered. The province offers some of the best, and most diverse, rock
climbing in the world… So gear up, chalk up, and start cranking! Not to worry,
if you’re more of a traditionalist you can revel in miles of unbolted rock in
the fantastic, virtually pristine Magaliesberg or in the Vredefort Dome – in
close striking distance of both Johannesburg and Pretoria.
WARM WEATHER WATER SPORTS
The North West Province is home to some of South Africa’s largest and most
renowned bodies of water, such as the Hartbeespoort Dam, Bloemhof Dam and
Barberspan. Visitors to any of these locations can look forward to myriad water-centred
sports and activities, including windsurfing, sailing, skiing, canoeing,
fishing, diving, and snorkelling. For a less challenging experience, enjoy a
leisurely cruise, a peaceful picnic alongside the water or simply be treated to
a spectacular aquatic sunset. The Hartbeespoort Dam also offers explorers an
African Water Safari on a floating restaurant. This experience affords a languid
cruise on the tranquil dam, renowned for its unforgettable aquatic sunset.
TOUR
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Northwest Province Tour
Tour Duration: 6 day(s)
Group Size: 2 - 12 people
Specialty Categories: wildlife & eco tourism
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Your Itinerary
Days 1 – 2: On arrival at Thambo International Airport, in
Johannesburg you will be collected by a Giltedge Representative
for your private road transfer to the Palace of the Lost City
located at the internationally famous Sun City Resort. The
Palace of the Lost City is a Leading Hotel of the World and one
of the most splendid on the planet. Each room is luxuriously
appointed and fitted with individually crafted furniture.
Service standards match and exceed the finest in the world and
the hotel's two gourmet restaurants, The Crystal Court and The
Villa Del Palazzo, are renowned.
In its position at the centre of the Lost City, The Palace is
set amid luxuriant vegetation in superb landscaping that
recently won its Botanical Garden status in South Africa.
The hotel overlooks one of Sun City's two 18-hole championship
golf courses, and the astounding inland beach, the Valley of the
Waves. The world's most advanced water park, it features
dramatic water slides and an enormous wave pool, on which 1.8m
surfing can be generated.
Formerly the gaming Mecca of South Africa, Sun City's emphasis
is now on the African experience - including access to the Big
Five in the nearby game-rich malaria-free Pilanesberg National
Park.
Sun City still has two very popular casino-slot areas, The
Jungle Casino in the Entertainment Centre, and another in the
Sun City Hotel. The Entertainment Centre also houses the 6
000-seat Sun City Superbowl, where several international
superstars including Frank Sinatra, Sting, Bryan Adams and Bill
Cosby have appeared.
In the same venue are various bars, shops, restaurants,
convention facilities and a sports and race-betting facility.
Recommended Optional Activities for your own arrangement and
account:
Elephant back Safaris
Pick up from the Gametrackers Outdoor Adventure desk located at
the Welcome Centre. Transfer to "The Elephant Wallow" will be
approximately 20 minutes through the Letsatsing Game Reserve
giving guests an opportunity to view game along the way. On
arrival, welcome drinks are served and guests are given an
introductory talk and introduced to the elephants and their
handlers. The elephants are then saddled and the safari
commences. After approximately an hour on elephant back guests
return to "The Elephant Wallow" for light snacks. Guests are
returned to the Welcome Centre, Sun City.
Accommodation: The Palace of the Lost City in a Luxury Room on a
B & B Basis
Days 3 – 5: After a leisurely breakfast, you will be
collected by a Giltedge Representative for a private road
transfer to the Mateya Safari Lodge.
The luxurious Mateya Safari Lodge is situated in the 75 000
hectare, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, and is easily
accessed by road or by daily scheduled flights from the OR
Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The reserve is home to the super seven (buffalo, cheetah,
elephant, leopard, lion, rhino and wild dog), a multitude of
plains game and over 350 species of birds.
The lodge accommodates just 10 guests, in five individually
designed air-conditioned luxury suites. Each offers en-suite
bathrooms with open-air shower, private deck and flow pool, with
superb bush views.
Guests can relax in the lounge, elevated deck areas and African
interest library, while admiring a superb collection of African
art. Morning & evening Game drives with a maximum of 4 guests
per drive are offered by experienced field guides and trackers.
Meal times are an indulgence in a superb variety of
international cuisine accompanied by wines selected from the
8000 bottle wine cellar.
Mateya also offers a bush boardroom with full internet
facilities, a curio boutique, gym and health spa.
Recommended Optional Activities for your own arrangement and
account:
Bush Walks
The Xoi San (Bushmen) of the Kalahari were considered to be
masters in the art of tracking. Specialist rangers and trackers
at Mateya offer you a similar experience, opening the door onto
a unique wildlife encounter. You will have the pleasure and
thrill of viewing animals close up, as well as have a better
understanding of how nature works in perfect harmony to sustain
the delicate ecosystem that continues to thrive at Mateya.
Coupled with the physical journey, our rangers will also
enlighten you with the cultural heritage of tracking, as passed
down over the centuries through the rich aural tradition of
African Folk Lore.
Wellness Centre
To bring home the renewing ambience of Mateya and the majesty of
the setting, guests can be treated to a full range of
pleasurable and rejuvenating body treatments by a dedicated
health therapist. Relish a relaxing moment in the warm bubbles
of our luxurious Jacuzzi or give way to the energetic call of
the wilderness by making use of the personalised gym. Feel the
freedom to take a healthy breath of Mateya magic, restoring your
mind, body and soul
Accommodation: Mateya Safari Lodge on a Full Board Basis
including game drives.
Day 6: Early morning game drive and breakfast and you will be
collected from the Lodge by a Giltedge Representative for
private transfer to Thambo International Airport in
Johannesburg.
Important Notes:
All prices are quoted in ZAR (South African Rands) and are nett
and non- commissionable.
All bookings are subject to price fluctuation due to fuel price
increase and / or government taxes and levies beyond our
control. No reservations have been made. All reservations are
subject to confirmation by our suppliers in writing.
All quotations are subject to our standard terms and conditions
of business.
Tour Price Includes:
- 2 nights' accommodation at the Palace of the Lost City in a
standard room on a B&B Basis.
- 3 nights' accommodation at Mateya Safari Lodge in a standard
room on a Full Board Basis.
- Private Road Transfer: OR Thambo International Airport to The
Palace of the Lost City.
- Private Road Transfer: The Palace of the Lost City to Mateya
Safari Lodge.
- Private Road Transfer: Mateya Safari Lodge to OR Thambo
International Airport.
Tour Price Excludes:
- All international and domestic air tickets.
- Any additional accommodation not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Any additional meals and beverages not mentioned in the
itinerary.
- Any additional transport and transfers not mentioned in the
itinerary.
- All items of a personal nature eg: telephone bills, laundry,
room service, etc.
- Gratuities for drivers and guides, rangers and trackers and
lodge staff.
- All items and services not mentioned as an inclusion above.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
ZAR 19 600.00 per person sharing nett / ZAR 26 000.00 per
single person nett |
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